We like to go out for a light breakfast 3-4 times a week. Across the street is a sandwich shop and bread-and-pastry shop owned and run by a delightful man-and-wife team. They are open five days a week 7:30-6:30PM. They have occasional counter help, but mostly either one or both are there all the time. Plus they stay late to close up, come in early to prepare lunches, pastries, and sandwiches, and show up on weekends just to catch up. PLUS, they have two small boys – we have NO idea how they juggle all this, but they do – always cheerful and positive. We have spent a bit of time in their shop for our morning café, pastry, and fresh orange juice [David], or fresh fruit smoothie [Anna], plus we buy fresh bread there, occasional desserts, and occasional light lunches.
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| Shop on Corner, our Apartment on Left w/Black Window Railings |
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| L-R David, Angeline, Anna, Philippe |
As time allows, we converse, in French, about the business, families, the government, etc. They even laugh politely at David’s jokes, and make jokes back. [The current running joke is who, Anna or David, gets their fruit drink served first. Madam has begun to make sure Anna always gets served first, to much laughter all around. I think it is feminine solidarity at work.] You may also recall they invited us to their Christmas party, with Champagne, in December. See Posting January 2, Christmas in Lyon 3.
Yesterday, July 13th they threw a small going-away party for us in their shop. We brought them a bottle of Champagne and a jar of home-made jam as a thank-you for all their patience and kindnesses. We thought it would be a short get-together but it turned out to be a two-hour affair with Champagne, pastrys, candy, etc., plus lots of laughter and conversation. They gave Anna an elaborate boxed recipe set from many of the great French chefs and a box of her favorite tea. David got a box of chocolates which he may share with Anna. From a neighbor lady we received some decorative candles and a model of a vintage Michelin tire truck. Others in attendance included Dominique, our landlady, and our mutual friend Teresa. Our good-byes were emotional, with us stating that we hoped to return next spring.
What is the common thread here? It is this – people like this have made our French sojourn into a second home, so that we no longer only feel like tourists.
Yesterday, July 13th they threw a small going-away party for us in their shop. We brought them a bottle of Champagne and a jar of home-made jam as a thank-you for all their patience and kindnesses. We thought it would be a short get-together but it turned out to be a two-hour affair with Champagne, pastrys, candy, etc., plus lots of laughter and conversation. They gave Anna an elaborate boxed recipe set from many of the great French chefs and a box of her favorite tea. David got a box of chocolates which he may share with Anna. From a neighbor lady we received some decorative candles and a model of a vintage Michelin tire truck. Others in attendance included Dominique, our landlady, and our mutual friend Teresa. Our good-byes were emotional, with us stating that we hoped to return next spring.
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| Start of the Party |
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| Party After a Few Glasses and Pastries |
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